The Lao national judo team will be able to maintain its third position in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games to be held Vientiane at the end of next year, according to the Lao Judo Federation President.
Speaking a press conference yesterday, Mr Khemsath Philaphandeth said the judo team won third place at the last SEA Games in Thailand , and he would do his best to ensure the team secured the same position in the Vientiane event in 2009.
The Lao judo team won two gold medals in those games.
Mr Khemsath said the federation would hold the first all Lao judo championships in Vientiane on July 26 and 27. The best Lao judo competitors will be selected at this event to compete in the 2009 SEA Games.
The event will be held at the Phonesavanh School , Dongdok village, Xaythany district, Vientiane .
Mr Khemsath said the federation would invite competitors from the provinces of Khammuan, Savannakhet and Vientiane . About 80 competitors are expected to take part .
The 12 best judo competitors will train in Vietnam for three months to prepare for the SEA Games. The federation has already sent three competitors to train in Mongolia for this purpose.
Mr Khemsath said the first all Lao judo championship aimed to promote the sport among Lao people and to raise judo to an international standard in Laos .
He said the federation would spend about US$15,000 to host the championship. The main sponsors of the event are the KP Company and Lao Toyota Company.
The federation will host a similar competition next year, one month before the official opening ceremony of the SEA Games in Vientiane . The competition will be a trial for competitors and venues, to ensure readiness for the games.
He said Laos had sent three Lao judo trainers to Nepal to attend an international federation referee examination, so they can perform these duties at the games.
Mr Khemsath said the Lao judo team had made satisfactory achievements over the past years with six bronze medals in the Southeast Asia Championships in Vietnam this year. The Lao judo team also won a bronze medal at an international tournament in Vietnam .
By Vientiane Times
